It is one of the most versatile renewable resources-bamboo is a popular material for fabric and it is also a very popular green, hardwood flooring option. This fresh take on a classic hardwood is a modern alternative to the sometimes heavy look of pine, cherry, or oak in a living space, and is manufactured from a highly sustainable resource. 

By making the planks from fresh bamboo stalks that are flattened and split lengthwise, the visual texture of graining in traditional hardwood is retained, but the natural color variations of the stalks used to comprise the planks adds an additional visual striation that is unique unto its self. Homeowners can achieve a variety of looks with bamboo from traditional to contemporary by choosing between darker stains that can be as rich as old pine or as light and contemporary as the natural finish.

The durability of bamboo flooring varies by manufacturer (some manufacturers like Teragren claim their wood is 153% more durable than red oak), but generally bamboo is more susceptible to gouging and scratching in high traffic areas, making it a better option in bedrooms or home office spaces as opposed to high traffic areas like foyers or heavily used living spaces like hearth rooms.   

While bamboo is the most popular sustainable flooring choice, it isn't the only option available. If bamboo isn't for you cork and eucalyptus, which are also renewable resources, are becoming popular interior flooring options as well. Additionally, traditional flooring manufacturers have been greening up their practices as well, and reclaimed wood is making strong headway in terms of flooring and even furniture materials. The bottom line in making sure you are walking the green walk every time you tread your floors is to make sure you understand who you are purchasing your flooring from and what their practices are- some old standbys may pleasantly surprise you.

A rooftop garden is not something relegated only to your more romantic notions of New York love stories. There are many companies and a few residences around St. Louis that have embraced this elevated garden style. Rooftop gardens, and we aren't talking about the ones that grow in your gutters when left unattended, have environmental benefits, aesthetic benefits, and offer a cost savings advantage that companies like Boeing, Centene, and Edward Jones are seeing. 

There are almost 20 green roof and green wall projects registered with Greenroofs.com in the St. Louis metro-area, and certainly there are many more private residences that aren't included on that list. Many of the projects in the list are publicly accessible, and they range in size from the 65-sqft of gardens atop MICDS in Ladue, to the 73,000 sqft of 2×2 aluminum containers filled with greenery, or green roof blocks, thriving on St. Louis Community College in Wildwood's roof. 

While green roofing blocks are the most common and popular option (and a good start), on many rooftop gardens bringing the great outdoors upstairs is more than just a collection of potted plants. Gardens like the Olsen Family Garden on the roof of the St. Louis Children's Hospital (pictured at right) has lush plots of grass, water features, and full grown trees surrounding this urban oasis. The garden even includes motion activated animal sounds, walking paths, a stream and fountain. The garden was built for the use of families and children who are staying at the hospital, but is open to visitors during normal business hours.

From a container garden that replenishes oxygen and decreases your buildings carbon footprint, to a garden straight out of a fairy tale, the rooftop gardens around St. Louis prove that with a little ingenuity any space can be transformed into a perfect little patch of green.

Energy efficiency can be measured in inches- two inches to be exact. In place of standard 2×4's this Hibbs Home was built with 2×6's. That extra two inches allows for more insulation, thus a higher R-Value, or resistance to heat flow.

Add to that some blown-in cellulose insulation and you have a cozy, energy efficiency home.